Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · 30 mins · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
28-Diana Ross-Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
1970-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 4.37.Eat your heart out ‘Lhotse,’ ‘Kangchenjunga,’ ‘K2’ and ‘Everest, ‘because when it comes to hitting the heights this song towers above you all.
‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ was written in 1966 by the songwriting team of Nickolas Ashford (1941-2001) and Valerie Simpson (see also best songs 703 and 228,) they would marry in 1974.They also recorded and performed their own songs as well, in 1984 they had a UK Number 3 hit with ‘Solid.’
British Soul singer Dusty Springfield had heard ‘Ain’t No Mountain’ and wanted to record it, but Ashford and Simpson wanted to work for Tamla Motown records and knowing they had a good song waited for them to come calling.
In 1967 the Motown duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell recorded the song with great success reaching Number 19 on Billboard. Ashford and Simpson would go on to write many hits for the duo including ‘You’re All I Need to Get By’ and ‘Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.’
In 1970 Diana Ross (see also best songs 900-519-411-365-212-183 and 148) was in need of a big hit in order to kick start her solo career, she recorded a radically rearranged version which includes the addition of new lyrics, the song gave her, her first Billboard Number 1 single to add to the twelve she had already had with The Supremes.
‘No wind, no rain, nor winter’s cold can stop me babe, if your my goal.’
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This is the highest rated Tamla Motown song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMDiana Ross: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Ashford / Simpson), 1970 – Lyrics-Тексти-ParolesNick Ashford: Songwriters Hall of Fame: http://songwritershalloffame.org/index.php/songs/detailed/C324/…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · Yesterday at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
29-William Orbit-Barber’s Adagio For Strings.(Ferry Corsten Remix.)
1999-Number 4 single.
Best Bit-At 3.56.The song’s writer was born in 1910 and wrote this piece of music in 1936, had he lived long enough I wonder if he would have loved or hated this rendition?
‘Adagio for Strings’ was originally a work by Samuel Barber (1910-1981,) he was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral and piano music, he is one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th Century. ‘Adagio for Strings’ has been performed many times in public,especially during times of mourning.
Music producer and songwriter William Orbit recorded his version for his 1999 ‘Electronic Classical Album, ‘Pieces in a Modern Style.’ Other composers whose work he covered for that project included Beethoven and Handel.
Orbit’s version is very true to Barber’s original and it goes without saying both would comfortably get a place in this countdown, but it is the remix which I have chosen. Ferry Corsten is a Dutch music producer who was born in 1973 in Rotterdam.Since 1991 he has released countless ‘Mix Tapes’ under many different names, and produced remixes for many artists. Prior to this track he was best known in the UK for the ‘Trance’ track ‘Gouryella’ recorded with fellow Dutch music producer Tiesto (see also best songs 368.) Incidentally in 2005 Tiesto took his version of Adagio for Strings to Number 37 in the UK chart.
Starting out life in 1936 and having every generation since listen in awe, this song has gone from ‘Classical Music to classic Dance music.’
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Of all the great dance music produced in the 1990’s, this is the highest placed on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMWilliam Orbit – Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Mix)

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 24 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
30-Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode.
1958-Has never charted in the UK.
Best Bit-At 0.01.’I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, but you kids are gonna love it.’
I suppose that very famous quote from the film ‘Back to the Future’ is true as this song never saw the light of day in the UK chart in 1958 and yet the horrendous ‘My Ding-a-Ling’ would give Chuck Berry his only UK Number 1 in 1972, proving fact can be stranger than fiction.
‘Johnny B. Goode’ was originally written by Chuck Berry in 1955, it tells the story of an illiterate country boy who has a gift for playing the guitar and may one day become famous for his talent. The original lyrics were ‘coloured boy,’ but Berry knew if the song was to be played on the radio he would have to change them to ‘country boy.’ The ‘Johnny’ whom the song is named after is Johnny Johnson (1924-2005) who collaborated with Berry for many years playing piano in his band.
Remember in Pop Music nothing is totally original.The opening guitar riff is essentially a note for note copy of the opening single note solo on Louis Jordan’s 1946 R&B song ‘Ain’t That Just Like a Woman,’ while the guitar break in the middle of the track is influenced by T Bone Walker’s 1950 song ‘Strollin’ With Bones.’
Chuck Berry(1926-2017,) (see also best songs 548 and 308) is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Rock Music, inspiring the next generation which included the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. John Lennon said of Berry,’If you tried to give Rock and Roll another name you might call it Chuck Berry.’
‘His mother told him someday you will be a man, and you will be the leader of a big old band.’
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This is the highest placed Rock ‘N’ Roll song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMChuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 23 at 4:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

COMING NEXT THE BEST 30.

It’s been a long road but now we approach the final furlong. Over the next 30 days you will read about wall to wall classics, with each day being just that slightly bit better than the last.

STILL TO COME.

Tamla Motown’s greatest song.
The best Rock ‘N’ Roll record.
The Beatles greatest song.
The best ‘Disco’ song ever made.
Heavy Metal’s greatest song.
The best ever Punk song.
The best ever Rap record.
The greatest ‘Dance Music’ track of all time.
The best song of the 60’s and the 70’s and the 80’s and the 90’s
The best song so far this Century.
THE GREATEST SONG IN THE WORLD EVER
will be revealed on March 24th.

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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 23 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
31-David Bowie-Five Years.
1972-Has never been released as a single in the UK.
Best Bit-At-2.50.To fully appreciate what this song is all about plug your ear piece into your phone, and take a walk around town. While listening to this song watch people going about their everyday business, be careful not to stare though, because that would be rude.
‘Five Years’ is the opening track on David Bowie’s 1972 Album ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,’ to date it has currently sold in excess of 7.5 million copies worldwide (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118 and 47.)
The song is about someone having just been told that the world has only got five more years until it destructs.The narrator is walking through the market square observing people’s reactions to this news, some lose self control and others try to remain calm. He observes how everybody is different, but realises that really we are all the same. At first the situation feels very surreal, but as reality kicks in he finds it difficult to control his emotions.
Bowie has stated that he chose five years as the length of time following a dream he had in 1971 in which his late father came to him and told him that he had only five years left to live, and that he must never fly again.
‘Smiling and waving and looking so fine, don’t think you knew you were in this song.’
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This is the second highest placed David Bowie song on my countdown.YOUTUBE.COMFive years – [The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars] – David BowiePushing through the market square So many mothers sighing News had just come over We had five years left to cry in News guy wept when he told us…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 22 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
32-The Pogues-Fairytale of New York.
1987-Number 2 single.
Best Bit-At 1.25.It is fitting that the greatest Christmas song in the world ever should be written and sung by Shane MacGowan, whose Birthday is on Christmas Day.
Since the introduction of downloads it has made it possible for any song to re-enter the UK chart at anytime. ‘Fairytale of New York’ has charted every December since 2005, and in total has been a hit in seventeen separate years, the song is also the most broadcast Christmas song of the 21st Century.
‘Fairytale of New York’ was co-written by MacGowan and fellow Pogues band member Jem Finer, who presented MacGowan with two songs he had written of which neither he was fully satisfied with, MacGowen tweaked them both and ‘Fairytale’ was born (see also best songs 283.)
The songs producer was Steve Lillywhite who asked his then wife Kirsty MacColl to record the female part for the tracks demo, she fit the song perfectly and was asked to be the co-singer. MacColl died in Cozumel, Mexico in the year 2000 after being hit by a speeding boat while diving in a designated area that watercraft were restricted from entering, she was 41.
‘Fairytale of New York’ is a song of regret, the narrator is sat in the ‘drunk tank’ reminiscing of missed opportunities.The hopes and dreams he shared with his partner have now long gone because of his alcoholism and her drug addiction.The lyrics suggest to me that they still care deeply for each other.
‘Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it’s our last.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.
This is the 6th highest rated song on this countdown from the 1980’s.YOUTUBE.COMThe Pogues – Fairytale Of New York (Official Video)Official video for Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl Stream The Pogues greatest hits here �…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · 1 hr · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
33-Radiohead-Creep.
1993-Number 7 single.
Best Bit-At 2.45.I remember making my regular weekly trip to the record shop and seeing a box full of approximately 200 copies of this song on 7 inch clear vinyl in a flashy picture sleeve. No one had heard of Radiohead back then, but it looked so attractive I bought a copy for 50 pence.The current going rate for a copy in mint condition starts at £50. Needless to say I wore my copy out many years ago.
Radiohead were formed in Abingdon-on-Thames, England in 1985 by Thom Yorke (vocals,) the brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar) and Colin Greenwood ( bass,) Ed O’Brien (guitar) and Philip Selway (drums.) They took their name from the Talking Heads song ‘Radio Head.’
Thom Yorke, this songs writer had written much of the track back in 1987, he had based the melody on the 1972 song ‘The Air That I Breathe’ written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood, who Radiohead agreed to share songwriting royalties with (see also best songs 369.)
On the Album version Thom Yorke sings ‘You’re so f…ing special, for the radio version he recorded ‘You’re so very special.’ Yorke has said he regrets changing the line for radio saying it disturbed the sentiment of the song, he said, ‘the song lost it’s anger as a result’. As for the songs meaning Yorke also said, ‘It’s about being in love with someone but not feeling good enough.’ He describes the feeling as, ‘There’s the beautiful people and then there’s the rest of us.’
‘But I’m a creep, I’m a weirdo, what the hell am I doing here.’
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This is the 5th highest placed son

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · Yesterday at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
34-Rod Stewart-Maggie May.
1971-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 5.02. After painstakingly studying the lyrics, I suggest that Maggie May was a ‘cougar.’
Rod Stewart (see also best songs 965-565-206-179 and 70) has given details of the event that inspired him to write ‘Maggie May.’ At sixteen I went to the Beaulieu Jazz Festival in the New Forrest. I’d snuck in with some mates and there on a secluded patch of grass I lost my not remotely prized virginity with an older woman who’d come on to me very strongly in the beer tent, how much older I can’t tell you, but old enough to be disappointed by the brevity of the experience.’
‘Maggie May’ was co-written by Stewart and Martin Quittenton (1945-2015,) other songs co-written by Stewart and Quittenton include, ‘You Wear It Well’ and ‘Farewell.’ At the very beginning of the song there is 32 seconds of music played on a mandolin, this was written by Quittenton and added on to ‘Maggie May’ and it’s parent Album, ‘Every Picture Tells A Story’ in order that Quitenton would receive extra royalties, the piece is called ‘Henry,’ and was played by Ray Jackson, the mandolin player in Lindisfarne.’
Another song called ‘Maggie Mae’ is a traditional Liverpool folk song dating back to around 1757 about a prostitute who robbed a sailor, this was where Stewart got the inspiration for the name Maggie May from.
The song originally started out life as the ‘B’ side to Stewart’s 1971 Number 19 hit ‘Reason to Believe,’ but radio stations began playing Maggie May instead forcing the record label to give the song it’s own ‘A’ side release.
‘The morning sun when it’s in your face really shows your age.’
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This is the highest placed Rod Stewart song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMMaggie MayProvided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Maggie May · Rod Stewart Every Picture Tells A Story ℗ 1971 UMG Recordings, Inc.…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 19 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
35-Bee Gees-Night Fever.
1978-Number 1 single.
Best Bit-At 0.02.’Oh No!.’ The man in a white coat is coming to take me away. No, wait a minute, my mistake, it’s ok, he’s only taking me to the dance floor.
The film ‘Saturday Night Fever’ was the brainchild of the Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood(1934-2016,) he had read an article in ‘New York Magazine’ entitled ‘Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night,’ written by journalist Nik Cohn, talking about teenagers going to dancing competitions. Stigwood approached the Bee Gees to ask if they had any appropriate songs that would fit the film, they had just finished recording ‘Night Fever.’ In fact all eight of the Bee Gees songs that appear on the films soundtrack had been written before the film was commissioned.
Until the film came out the Bee Gees(see also best songs 459 and 211) were not considered a ‘Disco’ group, they saw themselves as ‘Blue Eyed Soul’.They had already had a very successful career in the 1960’s with a mix of Pop and Rock and the hits were still coming in the 70’s. The success of the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ film led to a new level in the interest in the Bee Gees music, during the year of 1978 they wrote or performed on six consecutive Billboard Number 1 songs, a record only equalled by the Beatles a decade earlier, in fact five of the top ten selling singles in 1978 on Billboard were written by Barry,Robin and Maurice.
‘Here I am, prayin’ for this moment to last, livin’ on the music so fine, born on the wind, makin’ it mine.’
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This is the highest placed Bee Gees song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMSaturday Night Fever • Night Fever • Bee GeesFrom the 1977 John Badham film “Saturday Night Fever” with John Travolta & Karen Lynn Gorney. I am not making any money off of this channel and…

Barry Philips Discos

Published by Barry Philips · February 18 at 1:00 PM · 

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
36-Bob Dylan-Tangled Up in Blue.
1975-Has never charted in the UK.
Best Bit-At 5.05.Dylan has said the song took,’ Ten years to live and two years to write.’
I was first introduced to the music of Bob Dylan when hearing this as a young teenager, I tried my best to decipher the lyrics but always ended up baffled. Over the years I have read many reviews of the song by more older and wiser people than myself, and they too don’t seem able to fully define a true meaning.
Dylan(see also best songs 792-358 and 103) wrote the lyrics in 1974 while going through marital problems with his wife of then nine years Sara, they divorced in 1977.The song is probably about a persons first love and how the narrator never got over parting with them. To confuse matters Dylan jumps timelines in each verse,singing about the present and then skipping back and reminiscing about the past. A good example would be the television series ‘Lost’ where you could not be sure if you were watching events from the past or the present.
‘Tangled Up in Blue’ is taken from Bob Dylan’s fifteenth studio Album ‘Blood on the Tracks’ from 1975 and is considered his best work of the 1970’s.The song has been critically acclaimed,being called,’ The most dazzling lyric ever written,’ in fact in some surveys carried out this song has been voted Dylan’s greatest ever.
‘I must admit I felt a little uneasy when she bent down to tie the laces of my shoes.’
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This is the 2nd highest placed Bob Dylan song on this countdown.YOUTUBE.COMBob Dylan – Tangled up in Blue (Official Audio)“Tangled up in Blue” by Bob Dylan Listen to Bob Dylan: https://bobdylan.lnk.to/listenYD Subscribe to the Bob Dylan YouTube…